As Gulf cities hardwire sustainability into daily life, VinFast is shaping an electric lifestyle that feels like a smart, seamless routine, with its climate-ready design, long-term warranty confidence and software-driven convenience woven into everyday driving.
DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Over the past five years, GCC countries have made EV adoption a clear priority. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy and Qatar’s National Vision 2030 have moved from policy language to pavement. Master-planned districts in Riyadh are wired for electric charging from day one. Residential towers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi market EV-ready parking as a premium amenity. In Doha and Manama, public chargers now stand in mall basements and along waterfront boulevards, quietly normalizing a different way to refuel.
With that, a new lifestyle is taking shape. The clearest sign is how refueling is moving into the home, often happening quietly overnight. In the not-so-distant future, some drivers may struggle to recall the last time they stood beside a pump in the heat, watching the numbers climb under fluorescent lights.
Into this transition steps VinFast, a young global brand intent on making those new habits stick. Its focus is to make the interactions around them feel at least as convenient as traditional ownership, if not more so. In other words, to make EV living workable at scale, for everyone.
The VF 8 sits at the center of that effort. Fine-tuned for Gulf conditions, it pairs vegan leather seating with ventilation and heating functions suited to dramatic seasonal swings. Dual-zone climate control integrates air-quality management and ionization, a practical feature in cities where dust storms are not rare events. The cabin is anchored by a large 15.6-inch infotainment display, sized generously enough that drivers are not left squinting at navigation prompts or climate settings mid-traffic.
More subtly, the VF 8 encourages new expectations around what a car should do. Over-the-air update capability allows the vehicle’s software to improve over time. Driver profiles synchronize settings and climate preferences, useful in households where one vehicle rotates between work commutes, school runs and weekend trips. Smart modes such as pet mode and camp mode extend the car’s role beyond transport, accommodating both urban density and the region’s fondness for desert getaways.
VinFast has also worked to address the psychological side of the green transition. An expectation-surpassing element of the VinFast ownership experience is its warranty package: a 10-year or 200,000-kilometer vehicle warranty, a 10-year unlimited battery warranty and five years of free maintenance up to 100,000 kilometers, all structured to make durability and cost predictability part of the standard equation rather than an added extra. A recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with PlusX Electric in the UAE focuses on portable charging pods, on-demand mobile charging and emergency roadside support.
Taken together, these elements frame sustainability as simply another way of moving through the world, rather than an act of sacrifice, and arguably a more efficient one at that. Fewer service visits. Predictable maintenance costs. Charging woven into the domestic routine.
Across the Gulf, greener living is unfolding in just that manner. The progress can be gradual, almost mundane, yet it is unmistakably forward. VinFast’s role is to ensure that when a driver chooses electric mobility, the surrounding experience feels stable, supported and suited to regional realities.
Hashtag: #Vinfast
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Regal Partners Holdings Limited (“Regal Partners” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries as the “Group”, stock code: 1575.HK) is pleased to announce the successful completion of a placement of 560,000,000 new shares at a price of HK$0.05 per share, raising net proceeds of approximately HK$28 million.
The net proceeds from this placement will strengthen the Group’s financial position and provide vital resources for ongoing operations and expansion plans. 65% of the proceeds will be allocated to expanding the Group’s production capacity and supply chain in Southeast Asia. This initiative involves purchasing additional equipment, new leasing of the production site, and hiring more personnel and hence expanding floor area and upgrading the production capabilities. By mid-2026, the Group anticipates increasing its capacity to meet rising demand, particularly from the North American market. 15% of the proceeds will be used to develop regional showrooms functioning as sales centres in Southeast Asia to promote products, connect with export buyers, and generate new business opportunities, while the remainder will support the Group’s general working capital.
Following a comprehensive business restructuring in 2025, which included strategic initiatives focusing on overseas production expansion, broadening customer outreach, resource reallocation, and product enhancements, the Group has established a robust foundation for sustainable development. The net proceeds from the placement will accelerate the strategic expansion in Southeast Asia, enhancing offshore manufacturing capabilities and bolstering supply chain resilience. These expansion efforts, targeted for completion by mid-2026, will fortify regional operations and long-term scalability. Concurrently, the Group will continue investing in sales, marketing, and brand visibility, including participation in major trade shows such as High Point Market and the establishment of additional regional showrooms to broaden its global clientele. By increasing production capacity and market presence, Regal Partners aims to enhance competitiveness, attract a diverse customer base, and respond efficiently to global demand.
Mr. Chong Tsz Ngai, Chairman and Executive Director of Regal Partners Holdings Limited, stated, “We sincerely appreciate the support from the capital markets. This placement will significantly strengthen our working capital, enabling us to respond to rapidly changing market demands and advance our next phase of expansion. Following a year of focused restructuring in 2025, we are now accelerating production enhancements while intensifying our business development and marketing efforts. We are also very grateful for the support of our existing and new customers. We anticipate a steady increase in order flow throughout 2026 and onwards, with expansion benefits expected to yield positive results in the near future. We remain committed to solidifying our operational foundation and capturing new growth opportunities to create values our customers and shareholders.” Hashtag: #RegalPartners
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Regal Partners Holdings Limited
Regal Partners Holdings Limited is one of the leading and long-established manufacturers of sofas and sofa covers in China with an integrated design, manufacturing, sales and marketing operation. The Group exports sofas, sofa covers and other furniture products to customers in overseas markets predominantly to Canada, the U.S and Europe, and other regions such as Mexico, Australia and Dubai.
A year of partnership between Caravel, IMI, and Fleet Management delivers strengthened training and expanded career pathways, broadening opportunities for global maritime professionals and providing much-needed talent for a rapidly transforming industry
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Today marks a significant milestone for the global shipping industry as The Caravel Group, celebrates the first anniversary of the International Maritime Institute (IMI) joining its family. This milestone marks a strategic move by The Caravel Group in addressing the critical talent shortage affecting the global shipping industry, while supporting India’s national goal to grow its share of seafarers to 20% of the global workforce by 2030. By combining IMI’s proud 35-year legacy as a premier maritime institute with sister company Fleet Management Limited’s operational excellence and depth, The Caravel Group has forged an integrated ecosystem that fosters the highest standard in training, broadens career opportunities for seafarers, and supports sustainable operations for the shipping industry.
The Caravel Group has upgraded IMI’s facilities and invested in its curriculum, including adding advanced simulator training and specialised courses in alternative fuels, emissions reduction, and digital navigation. This year, IMI has also initiated 13 Pre-Sea batches and graduated 400 Pre-Sea cadets, sending many into professional placements with Fleet Management, one of the world’s largest shipping management companies.
Dr. Harry S. Banga, Founder and Executive Chairman of The Caravel Group, said: ” With the International Maritime Institute and Fleet Management under The Caravel Group, we have strengthened the connection between education and enterprise. Fleet Management’s global operations provide real world exposure that anchors IMI’s training in practical experience and opens pathways into professional careers.”
To mark the strategic importance of IMI to The Caravel Group and long-term commitment to maritime excellence, IMI has unveiled a new logo that honours IMI’s 35-year legacy while bringing it visually closer to Fleet Management through shared colours and design elements. Its new tagline, “Anchored in Maritime Excellence, Broadening Horizons,” underscores IMI’s core mission of providing seafarers with exceptional training to unlock a world of opportunities.
Pioneering an Integrated Ecosystem that Benefits Seafarers and Shipowners
For Fleet Management, the integration of IMI directly enhances its ability to secure a sustainable and high-quality talent pipeline. The partnership ensures aspiring talents receive unparalleled real-world exposure and mentorships from its senior officers, with training that is aligned with operational requirements. This results in robust career pathways, from classroom to vessel, providing direct access to highly competent seafarers, a significant advantage for its customers. In a sector facing crew shortages, it means a reliable supply of professionals who maintain the highest standards of safety and performance across its managed fleet.
This partnership also ensures that the next generation of seafarers is fully prepared to navigate modern fleets, comply with evolving regulations, and operate the advanced technologies that the industry will need onboard ships in the future.
Elevating Maritime Education through Innovation and Future-Readiness
With global seafarer talent shortages, The Caravel Group, IMI, and Fleet Management will continue to develop the next generation of global maritime professionals and ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability in the years to come.
The Caravel Group is committed to preserving IMI’s legacy in training excellence and ensuring that IMI’s world-class education remains at the forefront of industry changes and advancements, preparing seafarers for the challenges and opportunities of modern shipping. For Fleet’s customers, the quality of training means customers could continue to count on Fleet to deliver quality of manning, operational safety, and vessel performance.
Nurturing a Diverse and Resilient Global Seafaring Workforce
Building on IMI’s proud legacy, Fleet Management is investing in a workforce that embodies competence, character, and confidence. Its commitment extends to championing diversity and inclusion. IMI now offers a scholarship on tuition fees exclusively for women cadets, directly contributing to India’s goal of 12% female representation in technical maritime roles by 2030 and employs over 20,000 Indian seafarers within its 27,000-strong force. Furthermore, Fleet Management implements market-leading initiatives for seafarer wellbeing, including the Fleet Care team for mental health support, Gender Awareness training, a Women’s Network, and women-centric PPE, underscoring its dedication to a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace for all its seafarers.
One year in, Fleet Management stands committed to this strengthened partnership. With a new look for IMI, robust training and professional development pathways, and an unwavering commitment to safety, ingenuity, responsibility, and excellence, Fleet Management continues to shape the future of maritime professionals for its fleet and the global industry.
Hashtag: #FleetManagementLimited
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About The Caravel Group
The Caravel Group, headquartered in Hong Kong, is a privately held and globally diversified group with operations across maritime services, dry bulk commodity trading, institutional investment management, and philanthropy. Its maritime division includes Fleet Management Limited, the world’s second-largest third-party ship manager with over 600 vessels under management, and strategic investments, including a major stake in Pacific Basin (HKEX: 2343). Caravel also owns the International Maritime Institute (IMI) in India, reinforcing its commitment to maritime talent development. Through Caravel Asset Management, the Group invests globally across public markets and private equity, while its philanthropic arm, The Caravel Foundation, supports the education and well-being of underprivileged youth across Hong Kong, China, and India.
Fleet Management Limited, part of The Caravel Group, is the world’s second largest ship management company, managing more than 600 vessels. This rank bears testament to the resilience and commitment of 27,000+ seafarers and 1,200+ onshore maritime professionals, serving shipowners worldwide. Fleet manages a range of vessels, including bulk carriers, containers, car carriers, oil tankers, gas carriers and chemical tankers from 600 to 320,000 DWT in size – with many being young and energy-efficient with an age profile below the industry average. The company also has a dynamic newbuilding supervision department.
About the International Maritime Institute (IMI), Noida
The International Maritime Institute (IMI) is a premier maritime training institution established in 1991. Located in Noida, North India, IMI addresses the global shipping industry’s workforce needs by providing high-quality training and education. The institute boasts state-of-the-art simulators, experienced faculty, and a curriculum designed to equip cadets with essential skills for a successful maritime career. IMI’s commitment to excellence has earned it a strong reputation, making it a sought- after institution for aspiring seafarers. With a focus on holistic development, IMI prepares students to become responsible leaders and outstanding seafarers.
The new French-influenced, modern Korean fine-dining spot in Gangnam demonstrates exceptional culinary talent and potential for future glory
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Restaurant San, Seoul’s most outstanding new fine-dining restaurant, has been named the winner of the One To Watch Award 2026 by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna. The award singles out a restaurant which has recently started making a big impact and has the potential to secure a spot in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list in the coming years.
San’s nomination comes just over a year since opening in 2024 to widespread admiration in the South Korean capital. Located in the fashionable Gangnam district, San is acclaimed for its refined, French-influenced, modern Korean tasting menu conceived by chef Jo Seung-Hyun.
Chef Jo brings exceptional credentials to the venture, having honed his culinary skills at three distinguished restaurants – starting under the tutelage of Thomas Keller at The French Laundry in Napa Valley and La Maison Troisgros in France, before going on to helm the kitchen at Korean-American celebrity chef Corey Lee’s fine-dining restaurant Benu in San Francisco. After eight years as chef de cuisine at Benu, he finally returned home to Seoul to realise his dream of opening San. The sophisticated tasting menu explores a vibrant range of seasonal dishes presenting his creative interpretation of classical French cuisine with a Korean twist.
A spokesperson for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants says: “San has quickly become one of the most talked-about fine-dining restaurants in Seoul. With richly deserved recognition as the winner of One To Watch Award, the team is raising the bar for culinary excellence, complexity and respect for national tradition – following an inspiring trend of innovative restaurants to emerge from the capital in recent years.”
On winning the One To Watch Award 2026, Chef Jo says, “I’m incredibly grateful and honoured for San to receive the One To Watch Award. San is still a young restaurant and to be recognised in this way so soon after opening means a great deal to us. Thank you to Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for this encouragement.”
Showcasing Korean flavours through refined technique, Chef Jo’s cuisine focuses on familiar dishes reimagined with depth and precision. Signature creations include a prawn dish paired with a shrimp-gochujang crafted from a deeply concentrated broth extracted from shrimp heads, delivering intense umami, and a reinterpretation of ojingeo sukhoe, a classic Korean poached squid, using delicately prepared spear squid accompanied by squid-ink chojang. Drawing from his childhood memories growing up in Busan, Chef Jo also presents a refined interpretation of dwaeji-gukbap, traditionally enjoyed with salted shrimp but finished with caviar, offering a sense of familiarity while introducing an unexpected modern expression of Korean cuisine.
Beyond these innovations, signature dishes paying homage to iconic tradition include chamoe dongchimi, a water kimchi twist on Korea’s national dish. The wine pairing, led by Ju Jaemin, meanwhile enhances the dining experience at San. Guests can choose between a five or eight-glass pairing, with each wine meticulously selected to complement the multi-layered dishes.
San is the first restaurant from Seoul to win the award since 2017. Recent winners include Farmlore in Bengaluru (2025), a celebration of hyper‑local Indian ingredients; Lamdre in Beijing (2024), a sustainability focused restaurant inspired by Tibetan philosophy; and August in Jakarta (2023), which reinterprets Indonesian flavours through modern fine‑dining techniques.
The One To Watch Award is the final of three pre-announced awards ahead of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 awards ceremony, which will announce the region’s premier restaurants. The ceremony is being held for the first time in Hong Kong at the Kerry Hotel on 25 March 2026. The awards ceremony will also be streamed live on the 50 Best YouTube channel via the link here, beginning at 20:00 Hong Kong time.
50 Best works with professional services consultancy Deloitte as its official independent adjudication partner to help protect the integrity and authenticity of the voting process and the resulting list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026. See more details on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants voting process here.
How the voting works
The list is compiled by votes from the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of more than 350 leaders in the restaurant industry across Asia, each selected for their expert opinion of Asia’s restaurant scene. The Academy is divided into seven regions: India & Subcontinent; South-East Asia – South; South-East Asia – North; Hong Kong, Taiwan & Macau; Mainland China; Korea; and Japan. Each voter casts ten votes based on their best restaurant experiences of the previous 18 months, with at least four of these from outside their home country/SAR. Voters are required to remain anonymous and voting is confidential, secure and independently adjudicated by professional services consultancy Deloitte.
About the host destination partner: Hong Kong Tourism Board
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a government-subvented body tasked with maximizing the contribution of tourism to Hong Kong’s economy and upholding Hong Kong as a world-class travel destination. The HKTB works in partnership with relevant government departments and organisations, the travel-related sectors, and other entities related to tourism, to market and promote Hong Kong worldwide, while enhancing visitors’ experiences through providing diverse and high-quality tourism products and services. The HKTB has a worldwide network of 15 offices and has representatives in seven different markets.
About the main partner: S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna
S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna are the main sponsors of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna are the leading natural mineral waters in the fine dining world. Together they interpret Italian style worldwide as a synthesis of excellence, pleasure and well-being.
Our Partners:
Hong Kong Tourism Board – Official Host Destination Partner
S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna – Main Partner & Official Water Partner; sponsor of The Best Restaurant in Asia
Inedit Damm – Official Beer Partner; sponsor of the Inedit Damm Chefs’ Choice Award
SevenRooms – Official Booking Platform Partner; sponsor of the SevenRooms Icon Award
Doordash – Official Delivery Partner
Aspire Lifestyles – Official Concierge Partner
Lee Kum Kee – Official Sauces & Condiments Partner; sponsor of Highest Climber Award
Valrhona – Official Chocolate Partner; sponsor of Asia’s Best Pastry Chef Award
Vik – Official Wine Partner; sponsor of Asia’s Best Sommelier Award
Nongshim Shinramyun – Official Partner; sponsor of The Best Restaurant in South Korea
Maison Kaviari – Official Caviar Partner
Dassai – Official Sake Partner
Langjiu – Official Baijiu Partner
Woodford Reserve – Official American Whiskey Partner
Cinco Jotas – Official Iberico Ham Partner
Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong – Official Hotel Venue Partner
The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel – Official Hotel Venue Partner
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong – Official Hotel Venue Partner
The Peninsula Hong Kong – Official Hotel Venue Partner
香港 – Media OutReach Newswire – 2026年3月12日 -首爾新晉高級食府San,榮獲S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna(聖沛黎洛和巴娜)贊助的Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants「亞洲50最佳餐廳」頒發2026年度One To Watch Award「最值得關注獎」。此獎項旨在表彰近期嶄露頭角,並有潛力於未來幾年躋身Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants「亞洲50最佳餐廳」榜單的餐廳。
San於2024年開業,在首爾廣受讚譽,短短一年多便憑著卓越表現獲提名競逐One To Watch Award「最值得關注獎」。該餐廳坐落於時尚的江南區,以主廚Jo Seung-Hyun精心構思、融入法式料理風格的精緻現代韓國嚐味菜單而聞名。
Jo 的資歷非凡,曾在三間享負盛名的食府磨鍊廚藝──包括最初在名廚Thomas Keller於納帕谷主理的著名餐廳The French Laundry及法國殿堂級餐廳La Maison Troisgros學藝,其後獲韓裔美籍名廚Corey Lee任命要職,為其三藩市高級亞洲料理餐廳Benu執掌廚房。在Benu擔任行政總廚長達八年後,Jo終於回到家鄉首爾,實現開設San的夢想。匠心獨運的嚐味菜單展現出他對經典法式料理注入韓國特色的創意詮釋,呈現精彩紛呈的時令佳餚。
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants「亞洲50最佳餐廳」發言人表示:「San迅速成為首爾最受矚目的高級食府之一,獲頒One To Watch Award『最值得關注獎』實至名歸。其團隊在烹飪卓越性、複雜度及對國家傳統的尊重方面均樹立了新標竿,延續首爾近年湧現創新餐廳這股鼓舞人心的潮流。」
對於榮獲2026年度One To Watch Award「最值得關注獎」,主廚Jo表示:「能夠獲得One To Watch Award『最值得關注獎』,San深感榮幸,無比感恩。San仍是一間年輕的餐廳,開業不久便得到如此肯定,對我們來說意義重大。感謝Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants『亞洲50最佳餐廳』給予我們這份鼓勵。」
One To Watch Award「最值得關注獎」是 2026 年度Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants「亞洲50最佳餐廳」頒獎典禮前率先公布三項大獎中的最後一項。本年度頒獎典禮將於2026年3月25日在香港嘉里酒店舉行,乃此項盛事首次在香港舉辦,屆時將公布亞洲頂尖餐廳榜單。頒獎典禮亦將由本地時間20:00開始,通過50 Best的YouTube頻道作現場直播,直播連結請點擊此處。
50 Best與專業服務顧問公司Deloitte(德勤)合作,由其作為官方獨立審裁合作夥伴,以確保投票程序及2026年度Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants「亞洲50最佳餐廳」榜單的公正性與真實性。關於Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants「亞洲50最佳餐廳」投票程序的詳情,請參閱此處。
投票制度
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants「亞洲50最佳餐廳」榜單由Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy「亞洲50最佳餐廳評審委員會」投票產生,該委員會由超過350位在亞洲餐飲業最具影響力的領袖組成,每位成員均憑藉其對亞洲餐飲界的專業見解而獲邀加入。評審委員會分為7個地區:印度及印度次大陸;東南亞南部;東南亞北部;香港、台灣及澳門;中國內地;韓國;以及日本。每位投票人須根據其過去18個月內的最佳餐廳體驗投出10票,其中至少4票須投予其所屬國家/特別行政區以外的餐廳。所有投票人均須保持匿名,投票過程保密、安全,並由專業服務顧問公司Deloitte(德勤)獨立裁定。
Jo的资历深厚,曾在三家久负盛名的餐厅磨炼厨艺。最初在名厨Thomas Keller于纳帕谷主理的The French Laundry及法国殿堂级餐厅La Maison Troisgros学艺,其后获韩裔美籍名厨Corey Lee任命要职,为其位于旧金山的亚洲料理餐厅Benu执掌厨房。在Benu担任行政总厨长达八年后,Jo终于回到家乡首尔,实现开设San的梦想。匠心独运的品鉴菜单展现了他对经典法式料理注入韩国特色的创意诠释,呈现精彩纷呈的时令佳肴。
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants”亚洲50最佳餐厅”榜单由Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy”亚洲50最佳餐厅评审委员会”投票产生,该委员会由超过350位在亚洲餐饮业最具影响力的领袖组成,每位成员均凭借其对亚洲餐饮界的专业见解而获邀加入。评审委员会分为7个地区:印度及印度次大陆;东南亚南部;东南亚北部;香港、台湾及澳门;中国内地;韩国;以及日本。每位投票人须根据其过去18个月内的最佳餐厅体验投出10票,其中至少4票须投予其所属国家/特别行政区以外的餐厅。所有投票人均须保持匿名,投票过程保密、安全,并由专业服务顾问公司Deloitte(德勤)独立裁定。
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Vietnam Airlines officially marked its entry into the Dutch market today with a high-profile promotion event at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, announcing the much-anticipated launch of nonstop flights between Hanoi and Amsterdam.
Beginning June 16, 2026, Vietnam Airlines will operate three weekly round-trip flights using the state-of-the-art Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft.
The event, joined by the Ambassador of Vietnam to the Netherlands, Mr. Ngo Huong Nam, served as a strategic platform to introduce the new route to key European travel partners. The gathering highlighted Vietnam’s growing appeal as a top-tier destination and reinforced the airline’s mission to bridge Vietnam with Europe’s most vital economic hubs.
Beginning June 16, 2026, Vietnam Airlines will operate three weekly round-trip flights using the state-of-the-art Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft. As the first-ever direct link between the two nations, this service will drastically reduce travel time and position Amsterdam as a primary gateway for passengers traveling from Europe to Southeast Asia.
The flight schedule is optimized for maximum convenience, offering seamless onward connections from Hanoi to Vietnam’s most iconic destinations, including Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc, as well as broader regional networks across Northeast Asia and Australia.
“Europe remains a cornerstone of our international growth strategy,” stated Nguyen Quang Trung, Executive Vice President of Vietnam Airlines. “The launch of the Hanoi–Amsterdam route is a testament to our dedication to the European market. By strengthening our ties with regional travel and tourism partners, we are creating a vital corridor for trade, cultural exchange, and tourism between Vietnam and the Netherlands.”
With the addition of Amsterdam, Vietnam Airlines now operates 12 nonstop services to eight major European cities, including Paris, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Milan, Copenhagen, and Moscow. This expansion solidifies the national flag carrier’s role in connecting Vietnam with global economic centers while showcasing the nation’s culture and hospitality to the world.
Hashtag: #VietnamAirlines
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) has signed an MoU to facilitate greater access to shared data resources in support of capital market funding initiatives for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and mid-tier companies (MTCs) as well as enhanced supervisory functions.
The collaboration is a key initiative under the Capital Market Masterplan 2026-2030 (CMP) which also aligns with the SC’s Catalysing MSME and MTC Access to the Capital Market: 5-Year Roadmap (2024-2028) while complementing SSM’s role in strengthening the corporate ecosystem through the provision of comprehensive corporate data and enhanced regulatory oversight.
It supports greater inclusivity and the growth of MSMEs and MTCs by strengthening data analytics on funding needs through the use of a reliable database.
This initiative aims to enhance the identification of MSMEs with strong growth potential and financing needs, enabling more targeted capital market solutions to support their expansion and long-term sustainability.
By integrating SSM’s comprehensive corporate data, the SC will identify high-potential unlisted companies, their funding needs and subsequently transition them into the capital market via Bursa Malaysia’s Main, ACE or LEAP Markets, as well as ECF and P2P financing.
The MoU also focuses on the following:
Joint monitoring of entities to prevent financial scams and improve enforcement
outcomes;
Leverage financial data to monitor the progress of companies in adopting
sustainability disclosures; and
Joint knowledge sharing and training programmes in areas such as data analytics,
sustainability reporting, market insight generation, and strategic communication.
Dato’ Mohammad Faiz stressed the importance of data as a catalyst for inclusion. “This collaboration reflects the SC’s continued efforts to deepen market intelligence and strengthen the pipeline of MSMEs accessing the capital market. By leveraging granular MSME data, the initiative will help identify companies with viable growth and financing needs and connect them with appropriate capital market funding avenues.”
“Greater data visibility will also strengthen our enforcement capabilities, enabling earlier detection of scams and reinforcing investor protection,” he added.
Datuk Nor Azimah said the MoU marks a significant step in strengthening cooperation between SSM and the SC through the strategic use of corporate data.
“By leveraging SSM’s comprehensive corporate information, this initiative will enhance the identification of high-potential MSMEs and mid-tier companies and support their access to appropriate capital market financing to facilitate business growth and long-term sustainability.
At the same time, closer collaboration between SSM and the SC will strengthen regulatory oversight and market intelligence while supporting broader efforts to enhance corporate governance and sustainability practices among Malaysian companies,” she said.
Both sides will also set up a reciprocal data-sharing mechanism to enhance surveillance capabilities. It will also be in support of the National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF) in tracking the financial disclosure levels of non-listed entities.
The collaboration also underscores the shared commitment of the SC and SSM to support the continued growth and integrity of Malaysia’s capital market and corporate ecosystem.
Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (Kenanga Group), Malaysia’s leading independent investment bank and the Stellar Development Foundation (Stellar), a US-based non-profit organisation that supports the Stellar network, introduces Myrra, a dedicated token platform that leverages the Stellar blockchain to enable the tokenisation of real world-assets.
The inaugural deployment on the Myrra platform is the tokenisation of the Kenanga Money Market Fund (KMMF) and the Kenanga Islamic Money Market Fund (KIMMF) managed by Kenanga Investors Berhad (Kenanga Investors). The Funds represent the first tokenised unit trust funds to go live within the Malaysian market.
Through this initiative, investors can now transact blockchain-based digital representations of the Funds’ units through Myrra. Tokens are issued on a 1:1 basis, with each token representing a unit of either fund. This ensures the digital tokens function exactly like traditional fund units, while prioritising regulatory compliance, legal parity with existing unit holders, and operational integrity.
By tokenising its Malaysian Ringgit money market funds using trusted Stellar blockchain infrastructure, Kenanga Group is bringing its money market products directly to a broader segment of Malaysian investors, enabling the purchase or selling of tokens directly on Myrra’s web portal.
Operating for more than a decade, Stellar is one of the earliest blockchains designed specifically to support payments, asset issuance, and financial products in a compliance-forward and transparent manner. It hosts Franklin Templeton’s Benji token, a tokenised U.S. Treasury money market fund primarily used by institutional users for on-chain settlement and peer-to-peer transfers. Stellar also powers MoneyGram’s large-scale cash-to-crypto on/off-ramp across 170 countries using USDC and supports the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (“UNHCR”) in distributing USDC-based aid that refugees can redeem even without bank accounts.
Myrra represents a milestone in addressing a tokenised asset opportunity in Malaysia, estimated at US$43 billion by 2030. It builds upon recent efforts by the Securities Commission Malaysia to advance tokenised capital market products within a framework that balances innovation with investor protection. By applying blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology to familiar financial products, Kenanga Group is taking a pragmatic approach to financial innovation and inclusion while positioning Malaysian investors for a global transition toward faster settlement and enhanced transparency.
The KMMF aims to provide investors with a regular income stream while maintaining capital stability by investing entirely in money market instruments, debentures, and deposits. Meanwhile, the KIMMF offers similar benefits aligned with Shariah principle. Both Funds cater to investors who want stable, short-term returns with minimal volatility.
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